The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) has announced plans for the introduction of the Kingdom’s first truly intelligent office buildings. The two 50-storey iconic towers, currently in their final stages of development, will not only provide local and international companies with a landmark business address but are further set to create office space that achieves new standards in technological advancement.
The BWTC, located in the heart of the region’s leading financial and business hub, will provide its tenants with maximum benefits and competitive advantage through the implementation of state-of-the-art systems and a host of sophisticated and fully integrated SMART features. These features, to be delivered through the latest Intelligent Building Management Systems (IBMS), will serve to enhance efficiency across all aspects of operational, facilities and infrastructure requirements.
To be implemented by IT and communications engineering service providers Xpand Advisory of Bahrain and NCS of Singapore, who has recently opened their Middle East office in Bahrain, the BWTC will offer unmatched levels of security, convenience and time and costs savings. In addition, all systems will be run through the highest levels of connectivity. The BWTC will be equipped with a structured cabling system (SCS) that integrates its SMART features including all forms of surveillance, data, energy and other operating systems.
Security features at the BWTC include the latest in Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance and monitoring, automated access for tenants to common areas, parking facilities and individual floors as well as the latest warning and response systems. The buildings’ IBMS are also equipped to provide tenants with crisis management, disaster recovery and business continuity services. This will ensure that the development’s blue chip tenants will operate in the most secure of business environments.
In terms of convenience and efficiency, the BWTC will provide customers with exceptional support and time savings solutions. This encompasses the automation of visitor management from parking to building admission – including that for VIPs, a reservation management system for shared building facilities, an online helpdesk for maintenance requests and servicing and web-based billing enquiry systems.
Technology at the BWTC will also be state-of-the-art and capable of providing businesses speed, connectivity and scaleability. The buildings have been designed according to the highest calibre information communications and technology frameworks and will be offering the latest in Internet Protocol Telephony capabilities. Wireless unified messaging in hotspot areas will provide for access to voicemail, fax and email – all from a single point – and tenants will also benefit from the ability to install WiFi and high-speed broadband Internet enabled hardware as suits their operational requirements.
While tenants will be able to take advantage of these and other unique features offered, IT and communications systems have also been designed to offer businesses maximum flexibility ensuring that they serve as a platform upon which companies can upgrade or deploy their own tailor-made solutions.
Cost savings will also be derived from a number of features to be found at the BWTC. From a size standpoint, due to the design of the building, the towers offer flexible floor size options that ensure any company from 100 sqm upwards have the option to lease a single floor matching their exact size requirements. Furthermore, from an electricity and power savings point of view, the BWTC is adopting a number of systems that have yet to be implemented in Bahrain and some that will be a first worldwide.
Mechanism will be in place so that every floor will have its own electricity meters, which can be monitored by tenants and used to gauge and control usage and expenses. The buildings and adjoining complex will also be cooled by a highly innovative air conditioning and cooling system. This system allows for optimal efficiency and cost savings and provides an environmentally sound alternative to conventional cooling systems through the recycling of water.
In addition, further cost benefits will also be gained from other important aspects of the buildings’ design. The landmark BWTC towers are the first of their kind in the world to use wind energy to provide approximately 11 – 15% of the electricity needs of the two office towers.. Wind power will be harnessed by three massive turbines, supported by bridges spanning between the two towers.
Commenting on the buildings’ intelligent features, Claire Hughes, DTZ Bahrain Associate Director, said, “The BWTC towers will provide tenants with the latest in advanced systems and technologies. The buildings’ SMART features will set a new precedent both here in Bahrain and across the region and we are delighted to offer businesses the opportunity to work more intelligently. Productively is critical in today’s competitive environment and we believe that providing our tenants with the latest tools, systems and technologies will help them to more effectively compete and grow. This has been the vision behind all the design and architectural features of the BWTC towers and adjoining facilities, which we expect to become the Kingdom’s most prominent commercial facility and business address.”
The Bahrain WTC landmark towers have been designed by international architects, WS Atkins, while the lead contractors are joint venture firm, Nass Murray & Roberts.
